OROKI
(For Osogbo home towner)


Osogbo, the town of aró*
The land that owns the fruit of hospitality
Oroki asala+**
Where leopard was seized from Àrè***
When he now hunted vulture,
He was licensed to go away with it
That what will they do with vulture's meat.

Osogbo oroki
The child of the goddess of living-cool-waters
The goddess who doctored without fee,
Who gives healing and honey water to children
She who speaks sweetly to the multitude,
Who brought the secrets of copper.
Yeye, who help in renewing person's ecstasy.

Abundant of indigo dye
incites the love for Oshogbo
Bountiful esuru**** in oroki,
makes ones legs hungry for a trip to Osogbo
The home of the loyal friends
The land of atewogbeja*****
Who knows the language of the big fish.

Osun osogbo aloha!
Greetings to you,
Son of the beautiful woman with many children
Osogbo oroki that absorbs the landlord
And also welcomes the visitors.

©HAT

Glossary
*indigo dye
**another name for osogbo
+Asala literarily means; run to safety
***one whose relatives is not known
****bitter yam
*****one who stretches hand to receive the goddess fish